Arctic Studies Program attracts Canadian student from Ontario

Tue, Nov 24, 2009

Aubyn O’Grady from Pembroke, Ontario, Canada majors in Geography at Concordia University in Montreal. Currently, she is taking the Arctic Studies Program (ASP) at University of Lapland in Rovaniemi, Finland. This major transition from one country to another has been inspired by her interest in circumpolar regions throughout different parts of the world

In search of courses that could satisfy her aspiration to understand the north and its realities she chose ASP because it is relevant to her interest and the course credits are transferable to her university degree. With courses such as Reindeer Herding throughout Scandinavia, the Arctic in World Environmental Politics and Arctic Indigenous Studies, Aubyn has had the chance to dip her toes in many realities that relate to northern Finland and more specifically Lapland. When asked why she chose the ASP program she replied “the information here is relevant and up to date it is the hub of Arctic research and if I wanted to study and learn about the north then I wanted to be in the north.” Her decisive attitude towards her future will most likely land her where she hopes to be in the future and that is somewhere in a northern part of the world.

Upon completing the program in December, she will continue to pursue her last year at Concordia. Although, she will leave the “magical” lands of Lapland and continue on with her studies elsewhere she will not forget the many experiences she has had. If it was the experience of seeing reindeer herders round up reindeer first hand, riding bicycle throughout any part of the city or being very close to nature these moments may have passed, but the memories will forever remain with her.

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The University of the Arctic (UArctic) is a cooperative network of universities, colleges, research institutes and other organizations concerned with education and research in and about the North. UArctic builds and strengthens collective resources and collaborative infrastructure that enables member institutions to better serve their constituents and their regions. Through cooperation in education, research and outreach we enhance human capacity in the North, promote viable communities and sustainable economies, and forge global partnerships.